ImpactsImpacts ofof StormwaterStormwater Department of Public Works UrbanizationUrbanization Prior to land development, Andover was primarily forested in pine, oak, and maple. Natural stormwater protection was provided by the forest system intercepting rainfall in the canopy, reducing erosion and the deposition of sediment in waterways. Trees and other vegetative cover evapotranspirated at least 40% of the rainfall. Large amounts of runoff was absorbed in the forest duff layer that released it slowly to the streams and to the ground water. HydrologicHydrologic ChangesChanges As development occurs and population grows, land is cleared for lawns and impervious surfaces such as rooftops, roads, and parking lots. Maintained landscapes have much higher runoff characteristics than natural vegetation. Drainage patterns are irrevocably altered in the following ways: Increased volume and rate of surface runoff FLOODING Decreased time for runoff to reach natural receiving waters Reduced groundwater recharge WaterWater QualityQuality ChangesChanges Development also causes an increase in the types and quantities of pollutants in the surface and ground waters. Runoff from developed areas has been shown to contain many different types of pollutants such as: Oil and grease, sand, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and salts from roadway runoff Pesticides, herbicides, nutrients (fertilizer), bacteria and viruses (animal waste) from residential runoff Heavy metals, sediments, and organic pollutants from industrial runoff RoadRoad SaltsSalts ContaminateContaminate DrinkingDrinking WaterWater SuppliesSupplies TestsTests ShowShow HighHigh SodiumSodium LevelsLevels DuringDuring SpringSpring ThawThaw FISH BROOK DATA Graphic Representation of Deicing Salt Use 600 1800 m 1600 500 e 1400 400 1200 1000 300 800 200 600 (umhos/cm) 400 Specific Conductanc 100 200 Sodium / ChlorideSodium / Level (pp 0 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sodium Chloride Specific Conductance Andover Surface Water Quality Trend BiologicalBiological ChangesChanges BiologicalBiological systemssystems inin thethe environmentenvironment areare alteredaltered fromfrom hydrologichydrologic andand waterwater qualityquality changes.changes. InIn particular,particular, aquaticaquatic lifelife isis affectedaffected byby developmentdevelopment inin thethe followingfollowing ways:ways: Aquatic habitats are altered with stream changes due to increased flows Natural riffles, and streamside pools are altered or destroyed Spawning areas may be lost Increased sediments suffocate aquatic species The complex food web is altered GeeseGeese inin UrbanUrban AreasAreas ContributeContribute NutrientsNutrients andand BacteriaBacteria toto SurfaceSurface WaterWater ImpactsImpacts ofof DevelopmentDevelopment onon DrinkingDrinking WaterWater SuppliesSupplies Disinfection by-products (DBP) form Turbidity levels increase Salt levels rise Increase in pathogens (e.g., Giardia, coliform) Rise in organic and inorganic chemicals Spills, leaks, and accidents more likely to occur Increase drinking water treatment costs LandLand UseUse andand OurOur LifestylesLifestyles Development, as we practice it today, is incompatible with the achievement of sustainable ecosystems. Engineered stormwater systems can reduce the negative impacts of development to water quality and hydrology, but there is more to do: Change public attitudes toward chemical use Promote natural lawn care practices Reduce artificially landscaped areas Reduce the amount of impervious surfaces WaterWater FlowsFlows DownhillDownhill ….…. andand we’rewe’re catchingcatching lessless ofof itit todaytoday WhatWhat doesdoes thatthat mean?mean? MoreMore RoadsRoads == MoreMore RunoffRunoff RoadsRoads causecause runoffrunoff toto riversrivers andand oceansoceans == LessLess waterwater goesgoes intointo thethe groundground == LessLess freshwaterfreshwater StormwaterStormwater WetlandsWetlands ProvideProvide StormwaterStormwater RetentionRetention PollutantPollutant RemovalRemoval HabitatHabitat ProtectionProtection ImpactsImpacts ofof FertilizersFertilizers onon WaterwaysWaterways Fertilizers contain large amounts of nutrients such as nitrogen and pphosphoroushosphorous that can wash into ponds, lakes and streams, leading to eutrophication (overgrowth of aquatic plants). Eutrophic conditions in a drinking water reservoir cause: NuisanceNuisance algalalgal bloomsblooms TasteTaste andand odorodor problemsproblems FishFish killskills duedue toto lowlow dissolveddissolved oxygenoxygen FormationFormation ofof disinfectiondisinfection byproductsbyproducts IncreasedIncreased drinkingdrinking waterwater costscosts This eutrophic lake is shallow, warm, turbid, and has an abundance of aquatic plant growth. ImpactsImpacts ofof PesticidesPesticides andand HerbicidesHerbicides inin thethe EnvironmentEnvironment Pesticides are substances that kill bugs and animals. Herbicides are substances that kill weeds and plants. Widespread use of these chemicals is both a major environmental proproblemblem and a public health issue. Pesticides and herbicides: Can harm non-target organisms such as humans, pets, and beneficial wildlife May cause cause serious health effects in children and adults When it rains, these toxic materials can run off into your drinking water supply PublicPublic EducationEducation andand ParticipationParticipation AndoverAndover Has:Has: Board of Health Policy on Pesticide Use Watershed Advisory Committee Organic Lawn Care Workshops Keep children away from pesticides LandscapeLandscape TipsTips Make use of natural, organic alternatives to lawn care and pest-related problems Test soil to determine whether fertilizer is even needed and the proper amount to use NEVER apply fertilizers before it is supposed to rain Use organic fertilizers such as manure, mulch, or compost Landscape with native plants that require less water and fewer pesticides. DownDown thethe DrainDrain itit GoesGoes Andover has miles of storm drains, many leading to our drinking water supply Storm drains are a major transit mechanism for pollution of all kinds PLEASEPLEASE DODO NOTNOT DumpDump oil,oil, paint,paint, antifreezeantifreeze oror cleaningcleaning solutionssolutions downdown thethe stormstorm draindrain HouseholdHousehold HazardousHazardous WasteWaste WHATWHAT TOTO DO:DO: SaveSave thesethese materialsmaterials inin aa safesafe placeplace && taketake themthem toto thethe town’stown’s householdhousehold hazardoushazardous wastewaste collectioncollection sitesite ForFor moremore information,information, callcall thethe DepartmentDepartment ofof PublicPublic WorksWorks 978-623-8350 PetPet WasteWaste ImpactsImpacts StormwaterStormwater 41%41% ofof peoplepeople ownown dogsdogs PetPet wasteswastes contributecontribute toto waterwater qualityquality problemsproblems AndoverAndover hashas aa petpet wastewaste bylawbylaw PickPick upup afterafter youryour petpet CarCar WashingWashing ImpactsImpacts Research claims that 55-70% of households wash their own cars Wash water drains directly to the street and eventually to the storm drain Bring your automobile to a car wash center where wash water is recycled. StormwaterStormwater PollutionPollution PreventionPrevention WebsitesWebsites EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds Nonpoint Source http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/NPS/index.html EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics http://www.epa.gov/p2/index.html Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/stormwtr/stormhom.htm The Stormwater Managers Resource Center www.stormwatercenter.net.